Facial Scrubs: The Best Exfoliator Ever

The average woman doesn’t use one of these on a daily basis. Some companies recommend it, but you kind of have to wonder if they need you more than you need them. Nevertheless, exfoliating your face is important – and we’re about to discuss why. Before we do, however, let me just say that I don’t do this every day. I’m paranoid of aging myself accidentally, especially since the purpose of these is removing skin cells – even if they’re dead! I use my facial exfoliator a few times a month, and that’s it. That’s not to say I wouldn’t use it more frequently, if I felt the need. Thus far, I haven’t, so once a week has been plenty.

• Why should you exfoliate your face? No matter what your skin type is, regular exfoliation is helpful. It keeps pores clean, removes dead skin, removes oily buildups, helps even out the skin tone, and generally leaves your skin ready for makeup. Meaning, cosmetics go on more smoothly.

• How often should you exfoliate? Some people do it every day. I do it once a week. If you have very sensitive skin, you might not want to do it more than once or twice a month. It’s something you have to learn by trial and error. My advice? Less is more. You don’t want to exfoliate so much you wind up with a new skin issue.

• What’s the best exfoliator? You probably already know I’m a Lancôme fan – and with good reason. I know they make a good product. I use Exfoliance Clarte. It’s wonderful – and one bottle tends to last me an entire year! Cost: $23

• How much should I use? This is not a face mask. You don’t need to slather it on. I use a pea-sized drop and that is plenty for the entire face. It’s a gel, so it spreads easily. And it smells super duper, too. Note: You don't really need to scrub - gentle massaging will do!

• Can I use it everywhere? Well, no – it’s meant for the face, but not the eye area. You should also avoid the lips. If you want to use it on your body, I suppose you could, but there are more practical options out there for that kind of thing. I love Lancôme’s facial exfoliator because it’s gentle, effective and easy. I have normal to oily skin, and the formula I’ve listed works well. However, if you have dry skin, or want something supersonic in terms of deep-pore cleansing, they have formulas for that, too. This is something I thought a big waste of time when I was younger – it’s not. Your skin will feel lovely, and it will feel that way instantly. Worth the 30 seconds, I’d say.

xx Isabella